ADVISORY COUNCIL OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES

Minutes of Meeting

February 20, 2003

Marshall University Graduate College

South Charleston, WV

The Advisory Council of Classified Employees met beginning at 10:05 a.m., Thursday, February 20, 2003 on the campus of the Marshall University Graduate College, South Charleston, WV.

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

MEMBERS ABSENT

GUESTS:

Anna Mary Walsh, Shepherd College, and Margaret Buttrick, HEPC Liaison.

With a quorum being present, the Chair, Ms. Pitzer, called the meeting to order and welcomed Ms. Johnna Beane, who was the recently elected ACCE representative from the WVU R. C. Byrd Health Science Charleston Division.

ACCE Update:Ms. Pitzer informed the ACCE that the Executive Committee met last week with Chancellor Mullen at the request of key legislators. Major topics of discussion included the fact that Section 18-B-7-1 of state code doesn’t cover the process for layoffs or furloughs, the role of the JEC and Series 8. In order to move forward with the revisions to Series 8, the Chancellor requested that Ms. Pitzer send a letter to him requesting that the HEPC move forward with any revisions necessary to Series 8. Ms. Pitzer will draft the letter and will send it to ACCE members over the list-serve for review prior to sending to the Chancellor.

Ms. Pitzer also informed the ACCE that the Executive Committee met this morning with Senate Education Chair Robert H. Plymale and Chancellor Mullen concerning proposed changes to Section 18B-7-1 of state code under consideration for this legislative session. A copy of the proposed changes was given to ACCE members for review and discussion. Ms. Buttrick also distributed a handout entitled “Discussion Points: Legislative Agenda.” After careful review of the documents and much discussion concerning the proposed changes to state code, the ACCE unanimously agreed that none of the changes were in the best interest of classified employees. A motion was made by Ms. Neal and seconded by Ms. Cruse that the ACCE develop a report for submission to Senator Plymale stating the ACCE’s objections to the proposed legislative changes. While we are sensitive to the budget situation facing higher education for the upcoming fiscal year, in order to make any legislative changes concerning personnel rules, we would like the opportunity to work with the legislature and the HEPC during the upcoming year in preparing any necessary changes for consideration during the 2004 Legislative session. The motion was approved.

Legislative Committee Update:Mr. Martinelli and others from West Virginia University recently met with Senator Plymale concerning legislative matters of interest to classified employees such as the removal of the annual increment cap, an increase in the tobacco and soda taxes, possible new taxes on bottled water, juice, and employees who work in West Virginia but reside elsewhere, representation on the HEPC, the right to serve in the legislature, and delay in the implementation of PEIA increases. He noted that both Delegate Fleischauer and Senator Prezioso have introduced bills to remove the annual increment cap for classified employees.

ACCE Legislative Brochure:Ms. Cruse has been gathering information over the ACCE list-serve and from the Higher Education Report Cards for use in the brochure. Mr. Taylor suggested that the brochure should relay how classified employees are unique from other state employees. Mr. Martinelli suggested that at our annual retreat that some serious work could be done on the brochure in preparation for the 2004 Legislative session. Ms. Pitzer suggested that a PowerPoint presentation might also be prepared to compliment the brochure. ACCE members were encouraged to send additional comments and suggestions concerning the brochure to Ms. Cruse.

Liaison Report:HEPC Liaison, Margaret Buttrick, distributed a number of handouts providing comments on each and allowing opportunities for discussion:

1. Bluefield State College Classified Employees Layoff (Bumping) Policy:This policy has been reviewed by the HEPC Central Office and is thought to be a fairly good policy.
2. Legislative Updates:The HEPC has a legislative update on their web-site, which is updated daily during the session. Included in the update are higher education bills of interest.
3. Legislative Update Bulletin:During the final week of the legislative session, this bulletin is prepared by the Central Office, which gives daily updates on the progress on bills of special note and any announcements of other significant legislative developments.

1. PEIA - Mr. Harbaugh questioned if there might be any consideration that institutions could offer employees an incentive, or buy-out, to opt out of PEIA. This is an item worth consideration.
2. Holidays – Ms. Barfield polled ACCE members as to the various holiday policies on the individual campuses and how those policies are determined.
3. ACCE/IBOG Elections - April 2003:State code requires that in April of each odd numbered year, that elections occur on the individual campuses for classified employee representatives to the ACCE and the IBOG. While code does not stipulate that one person has to hold both positions, there is nothing prohibiting that from occurring.

Announcements:The next ACCE meeting will be held on the campus of the Marshall University Graduate College, Friday, March 7, 2003 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Please send suggested agenda items to Ms. Pitzer as soon as possible.

Adjournment:The meeting was adjourned at 3:41 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

STEPHANIE A. NEAL
SECRETARY

AMY PITZER
CHAIR

(Approved 5/8/03)